Pistil stitch is a variation of French Knot embroidery stitch and it is worked the same way as the french knot.
As the name suggests it looks like the pistil of a flower. It is also called LONG TAILED FRENCH KNOT. This stitch is also known as a Long tack knot stitch or Italian knot stitch.
It is a combination of a straight stitch and a french knot.( You can also use a colonial knot at the end though, and it will looks as pretty).
This pretty stitch is ideal for working the center of flowers and to make shapes like fans and even for borders. It is a common stitch used in Smocking.You can also use this stitch to make grass shapes. It can also be used to fill up petals of flowers for a very different textured look
Use a needle with a small eye ( round eye needle) to make this stitch.
How to make a Pistil stitch or Long tailed french Knot
Start at A. Then make a french knot at B- that is what a pistil stitch is all about. Here is how to do it.
Step 1
Bring the needle from the back of the fabric at point A. Go to the front a little to the length you want the stitch to be.
Step 2
Place the needle near the fabric and wrap the thread around the needle once or twice.
Gently pull the thread so that the wrapped thread is tightening against the needle
Step 3.
Insert the needle near the point where you need the knot. Hold on to the thread wraps with your left hand and pull the needle to the back.
A knot is left behind at the end of the stitch.
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